August 19, 1943
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 19 AUGUST 1943

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Brigadier General Howard C Davidson becomes Commanding General Tenth Air Force.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25s operating in pairs and with fighter escort, hit barges at Timbala Bay on Vella Lavella, Kakasa radio station on Gill Island,  and a beached vessel in Paraso Bay. From this date through 28 Aug, Japanese airplanes attack Allied forces in the Barakoma area of Vella Lavella, losing a considerable number of aircraft (claims total about 50) to Allied fighters and ground fire without doing any great damage to the Allies. HQ 5th Bombardment Group transfers from Espiritu Santo to Carney Field.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's attack Manokwari, sink a small craft near Babo, and bomb Larat and Saumlakki in the Tanimbar Islands. B-25's hit Koepang, Fuiloro, and Lautem. HQ 375th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura.

U.S. Army: Japanese barges with troops that escaped U.S. naval force on August 18, 1943 succeed in unloading at Horaniu on Vella Lavella. A pair of Japanese 120mm Naval Guns on Baanga that were shelling Munda Airfield are captured.

In New Guinea, Japanese abandon positions on Mount Tambu and Komiatum Ridge, and fall back to final defensive around Salamaua.

USN: USS Warrington (DD-383) is damaged when she strikes a shoal at 09°21'S, 160°21'E.

OS2N from VS-57 locate Japanese submarine I-17 that is sunk by armed trawler HMNZS Tui off eastern Australia, 23°26'S, 166°50'E.

Submarine Finback (SS-230) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 109 (ex-Dutch patrol vessel Kawi) off east coast of Celebes, 03°01'S, 125°50'E.